In the Days of Queen Elizabeth Page 6

  CHAPTER V

  A PRINCESS IN PRISON

  Mary did not forget to show gratitude to those who had aided her ingaining possession of her crown. To some she gave high positions,and for the one whose house had been burned she built a much finerresidence.

  "And now, my well-beloved cousin and councilor," she said to the Earlof Sussex, "we would gladly show to you our hearty appreciation of yourloyalty in a troublous time. Ask what you will of us, and it shall begranted."

  The only way of heating houses in those days was by means offireplaces, and therefore, even the royal palaces were full of chillsand drafts. Whenever the earl came to court, he took cold. A thoughtstruck him and he said:--

  "If your Grace is really of intent to bestow upon me the gift that willgive me most of comfort and peace of mind and body, I would beg humblyfor the royal permission that I need no longer uncover my head beforeman or woman."

  Mary was greatly amused. "Either cap or coif or nightcap [skullcap] mayyou wear," said she, "and woe to the one that dares to dispute yourprivilege." The next morning a parchment bearing the royal arms waspresented to the earl with all formality. It read:--

  "Know ye that we do give to our well-beloved and trusty councilor,Henry, Earl of Sussex, license and pardon to wear his cap, coif, ornightcap, or any two of them, at his pleasure, as well in our presenceas in the presence of any other person within this our realm."

  Not all the questions of the day were settled as easily. One of themost important ones was who should succeed Mary on the throne. If shemarried and had children, they would be her heirs, but if not, thePrincess Elizabeth would probably follow her as ruler of England. NowMary was a strong and sincere Catholic, and her dearest wish was tolead England back to the old faith and have the Pope acknowledged asthe head of the English church. She hoped to be able to bring thisto pass, but she was not well, she had little reason to look for along life, and when Elizabeth became queen, all Mary's work would beundone, the land would be again Protestant. Elizabeth was to Mary stillthe little sister whom she had so often led by the hand. Would it notbe possible to persuade her to become a Catholic? Elizabeth had lovedEdward, would she not go with Mary to hear a mass for the repose of hissoul? Elizabeth refused. Again Mary asked, and again Elizabeth said no.

  "She would not dare be so bold if stronger than herself were not behindher," declared Mary's councilors. "There is danger to life and thronein this audacity." Others too were to be feared, those Protestants whodid not believe in the right of Elizabeth to the crown. They were notsorry to see disagreement between the two sisters, for if the youngershould be shut out from the succession, Lady Jane, prisoner in theTower as she was, would be accepted as Mary's heir. Evidently Elizabethmust be induced to become a Catholic if it was possible. Mary beggedand then she threatened. She had sermons preached before Elizabeth, andshe sent the royal councilors to talk with her, but in vain. At lastthe princess was made to understand that she must yield or withdrawfrom court. More than this, it was said to her, "There are suspicionsthat you are bold in resisting the queen because you have support fromwithout."

  Elizabeth was alarmed, and she sent a message to the queen:--

  "I pray you, let us meet, there is much that I would say." Soon themeeting came to pass. Mary entered the room attended by only one lady,who followed her at a greater distance than was customary. Elizabeththrew herself at Mary's feet and said with many tears:--

  "Most gracious queen and sister, I have ever looked up to you with loveand respect, and since I have had the use of my reason, I have beeninterested in everything that concerns your greatness and glory. Itgrieves me to the heart to feel that for some reason unknown to myselfI am no longer as dear to your Majesty as I have believed myself to be."

  "My well-beloved sister," answered the queen, "gladly would I show toyou all affection if I were but sure that your heart was turned towardme and toward that which is not only my dearest wish but is for thesalvation of your own soul."

  "I have but followed the belief in which I was brought up," saidElizabeth. "Such books as my father approved have been my reading.I will study others if you will, and it may be that my mind will beopened to perceive truth in doctrines wherein I had not thought it tolie."

  "It will be a pleasure to my chaplain to choose for you those that areof such quality as to lead a truly inquiring heart into the way ofright."

  "Yet another kindness do I beg of you, my queen and sister," saidElizabeth. "I have listened to those whom I was told to hear. Willyour Grace send to me some well-taught preacher to instruct me in theway wherein you would have me to walk? Never have I heard any learneddoctor discourse in such wise as to show me where lay my error." Maryagreed, and a few days later the two sisters attended mass together.Elizabeth even wrote to the German emperor that she intended to have aCatholic chapel opened in her own house, and asked his permission topurchase in Flanders a cross, chalice, and such ornaments as would beneeded.

  No one had much confidence in her sudden change of creed. ThoseProtestants who were discontented went on with their plots to makeher queen, convinced none the less that once on the throne, she wouldrestore the Protestant form of worship. The German emperor, who wasMary's chief adviser, urged that to insure the queen's safety Elizabethought to be imprisoned, or at any rate, so strictly guarded that shecould do no harm. There was reason for his fears. Mary, Queen ofScots, would soon become the daughter-in-law of the French king, andwhile he was pretending to be a true friend to Elizabeth, he was inreality doing all in his power to make trouble between her and Mary.If Elizabeth could be led into some plot that would anger Mary andso could be shut out from the succession, his daughter-in-law mighteasily become queen of England as well as of Scotland. Vague rumors ofdiscontent and plots came to the ears of Mary, and for some time sherefused Elizabeth's request to be allowed to go to her own house.

  The German emperor was Mary's cousin, Charles V., to whom she had beenbetrothed when she was a child. He was seventeen years older than she,and was the most powerful sovereign in Europe. To him she went forcounsel concerning the difficult questions that pressed upon her. Themost urgent one was that of her proposed marriage. She was to marry,that was settled, but the bridegroom had not yet been selected. Nofewer than four foreign princes were suggested, but the English hopedmost earnestly that she would marry an Englishman. Charles V. seemed tofavor first one and then another, but he could always give good reasonswhy no one of them should be the chosen one. At last he named his ownson Philip. Mary made many objections.

  "The emperor is also king of Spain," said she to Charles's ambassador,"and when Philip succeeds him on the Spanish throne, how can he comeand rule in England?"

  "That matter would not be difficult to arrange," answered theambassador. "The prince could rule in Spain and dwell in England, evenas his father is able to rule both Spain and Germany."

  "He is very young," said she.

  "He is a staid man," declared the ambassador. "He has often had tostand in responsible positions, and indeed in appearance he is alreadymany years older than your Majesty."

  "When I marry, I shall marry as a woman, not as a queen," said Mary,"and I shall promise to obey my husband, but it will be my right torule my kingdom. No foreigner may have part or lot in that. The Englishpeople would not bear it, nor would they endure to have places of honoror of power given to foreigners." Still, she did not reject Philip.

  It was soon whispered about that there was a possibility of a Spanishmarriage. The chancellor came to the queen and begged her to make nosuch alliance. "No other nation is so disliked as the Spaniards," saidhe, "and Philip's haughtiness and arrogance have disgusted his ownsubjects. Philip will rule the Low Countries, and the king of Francewill never endure it to have the Netherlands fall into the hands ofEngland."

  In spite of her objections Mary really favored the marriage withPhilip. He was her cousin, of her own faith, and of her mother'snation. With Philip to support her, she could bring England back tothe old faith. She al
lowed Charles's ambassador to discuss the matteragain.

  "Your Highness," said he, "never was a sovereign in a more difficultposition. You stand alone without an honest adviser in the land. Seehow easily your councilors who were Protestants one year ago have nowbecome Catholics. Will they not as readily become Protestants again,if they have good hope of farther advancement under the PrincessElizabeth? You are surrounded by enemies. There are those who donot love the true church, and there are the rebels who followedNorthumberland; Lady Jane and the Princess Elizabeth stand ready fortheir hand. Then there are France and Scotland; the Scotch queen wouldwillingly add England to her domain. In Spain lies your only hope."

  "Even if what you say is true," she responded, "I am not a young girlwhose hand is to be disposed of at the will of her father, I must seethe prince before I decide."

  "Pardon, your Majesty," said the ambassador, "but the emperor willnever permit that his son and heir should be exhibited before the courtas a candidate for your Majesty's hand, and perchance be rejectedbefore the eyes of Europe. A man's face is a token of the man, shall aportrait of the prince be sent you?"

  The queen agreed, and the picture was sent. It portrayed a young manwith blue eyes, yellow hair and beard, and a rather gloomy expression;but the face must have pleased the queen, for when Parliament againbegged her to marry none but an Englishman, it was too late. Two daysearlier she had in the presence of the Spanish ambassador taken asolemn oath that she would wed no other man than Prince Philip of Spain.

  Nothing was talked of in the kingdom but the Spanish marriage.

  "It is a poor business," said one. "King Henry is but seven years dead,and his kingdom will soon be only a province of Spain."

  "Not so fast," rejoined the other. "Spain is the richest country inEurope. I wish I had but the twentieth part of the gold that comes fromthe New World in one of those high-decked galleons of hers."

  "For the queen to marry Philip will bring it no nearer to us," retortedthe first.

  "Why not, my friend? Will not freedom to trade help to fill our emptytreasury? Spain is a strong ally. Let France and Scotland attack us,and it will be well to have a helper with ships and treasure."

  "Ships and treasure will not give us freedom," declared the first."Better be poor than be ruled by Spain. I'm as true a Catholic as you,but no wish have I to see the torture chamber of Spain brought intoEngland. Philip's own subjects detest him."

  Mary's councilors soon ceased to oppose what she so plainly wanted,though it was whispered about that they were convinced by bribesrather than by arguments. An ambassador came from Spain to bringthe engagement ring and to draw up the marriage treaty. The Englishpeople were angry and indignant, and the children played a game called"English and Spaniards." Philip was one of the characters in thisplay, and there was always a pretence of hanging him. Nevertheless,the treaty was drawn up. It was agreed that no Spaniards should holdoffice in England. If the queen should have children, they must not becarried out of the land without the consent of the nobles, and theyshould inherit not only England but the lands of Holland and Flandersto which Philip was heir.

  In spite of all these careful arrangements, the English became moreand more enraged, and there were insurrections in various parts of thecountry. One was headed by the Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane's father.Mary had supposed that if Suffolk was forgiven and his daughter allowedto live, he would be loyal from gratitude, but this was not the case.He went from one place to another, raising troops and proclaiming LadyJane queen of the realm.

  Another insurrection was headed by a young poet named Wyatt. His forcescame so near London that the queen was in great danger. Lawyers worearmor under their robes when they pleaded in court, and clergymen worearmor under their vestments when they preached. The insurgents camenearer, and there was hot fighting. "Flee, my queen, flee!" called oneafter another, but Mary was perfectly calm and answered, "I warrant weshall hear better news anon."

  When it became clear that there would be bloodshed, Mary had writtento Elizabeth, telling her of the danger and urging her to come atonce where she would be protected. "Assuring you that you will be mostheartily welcome," the letter ends. Elizabeth sent word that she wasill and not able to travel. Many days passed, and they were days fullof events. The Duke of Suffolk was captured.

  "You have pardoned him once," said Mary's councilors, "and hisgratitude is but another attempt to thrust you from the throne. Thistime there can be no pardon." Mary agreed. "There is one thing more,"said they. "There will be neither peace nor quiet nor safety in theland so long as Lady Jane lives."

  "I can never sign the death warrant of my cousin," declared Mary, "noteven to save my own life."

  "Have you a right to shed the blood of your subjects?" they demanded."The ground about us is wet with their blood. Shall such scenes come topass a second time?" Mary yielded, and Lady Jane was beheaded.

  A question even more difficult than this had arisen. When Wyatt wasexamined, he declared that the Princess Elizabeth had known of theplot. Now Mary sent, not an affectionate invitation, but a command forher sister's presence. Two physicians accompanied the commissioners.They agreed that the princess was able to travel, and the company setout for the court. One hundred of her attendants escorted her, and onehundred more of Mary's guards followed. Elizabeth was greatly lovedby the masses of the people. She was fine-looking, well educated, andwitty, and they were proud of their princess.

  "Draw aside the curtains," she commanded. "Let the people see me ifthey will." The people saw her indeed. Crowds lined the road as theprocession moved slowly by.

  "Alas, poor young lady," sobbed one kind-hearted woman. "I mind me wellwhen her own mother went to the block."

  "She's over young to be facing the cruel axe," declared another."She's but the age of my own girl, only one and twenty, if she _is_ aprincess."

  "Mayhap it will all be well," said a third. "See her sitting there inthe fair white gown, and her face as white as the stuff itself. She'snot the one to plot and plan to take the life of the queen."

  Elizabeth came to the palace, but Mary refused to meet her.

  "Bear this ring to her Majesty," commanded the princess. It was muchthe custom in those days for one friend to give another a ring whosesight should renew their friendship if misunderstanding had arisenbetween them, and Elizabeth wore one that had been given her by Marylong before. The pledge had lost its power, for Mary sent only themessage, "Before we can meet, you must show your innocence of that ofwhich you are accused."

  Day after day it was debated what should be done with the princess.Although just before Wyatt's death he had taken back his words ofaccusation, the royal council still suspected her. Charles V. wasmore than willing that she should be put to death, and the Spanishambassador told Mary that until the punishment of the rebels had madethe realm safe for Philip, he could not land on English soil. "It ismost important," said he, "that the trial and execution of the LadyElizabeth should take place before the arrival of the prince."

  One morning ten of the royal commissioners demanded audience ofElizabeth.

  "Your Grace," said the leader, "a grievous charge is made against you,that you were knowing to an evil and felonious attempt to overthrowthe government and take the life of our most gracious queen. It is thepleasure of her Highness that you be at once removed to the Tower."

  "I am an innocent woman," Elizabeth answered, "and I trust that herMajesty will be far more gracious than to commit to the Tower one whohas never offended her in thought, word, or deed. I beg you intercedefor me with the queen."

  The intercession was of no avail. Elizabeth sent a letter to Marydenying all charges and begging that they might meet, but the onlyreply was the order, "Your Grace must away to the Tower."

  "I am content, inasmuch as it is the queen's pleasure," Elizabethreplied, and the carefully guarded boat set off. It drew up, not at thedoor which led to the royal apartments of the Tower, but at the onecalled the Traitors' Gate, where many a prisoner had been landed in
thepast troublous times.

  "I am no traitor," said she, "nor will I go in at the Traitors' Gate."

  "Madam, there is no choice," answered sternly one of the commissioners,but he added kindly, "The rain falls in torrents, will your Grace honorme by making use of my cloak?" Elizabeth flung it down angrily, and puther foot on the step, covered with water as it was.

  "Here lands as true a subject as ever landed at these steps," shedeclared solemnly. Up the stairs she was taken, and to the room thatwas to become her prison. The doors were locked and bolted.

  She was not without friends even within the walls of the Tower. BothMary and Elizabeth were fond of children, and Elizabeth especiallycould always win their hearts. She had not been long a prisoner beforeone little girl, the child of an officer, began to watch for her whenshe walked in the garden.

  "Lady," asked the child, "do you like to be in the Tower?"

  "No, I do not," answered Elizabeth, "but the doors are locked and Ihave no key, so I cannot go out." In a few days the little girl came toher with a beaming face. "I want to tell you something," she whispered."I want to tell it right into your ear." She threw her arms aroundthe princess's neck and whispered: "I've brought you some keys so youneedn't always stay here. Now you can open the gates and go out as youwill, can't you?" and the child pulled from the bosom of her frock somelittle keys that she had found.

  A boy of four years was one of her pets, and used to bring her flowersevery day. The council suspected that he was bringing messages to herfrom another prisoner in the Tower and ordered his father to forbid hisspeaking to the princess. Nevertheless, the little fellow watched atthe bolted door for a chance to say good-by, and called softly, "Lady,I can't bring you any flowers, and I can't come to see you any more."

  In those times executions followed accusations so easily that Elizabethwas alarmed at every little commotion, and one day she asked anxiouslywhether the scaffold was still standing on which Lady Jane had beenexecuted. The princess, was indeed, very near death at one time, forthe queen's chancellor sent to the Tower an order for her execution.Mary was very ill and not expected to recover, and the chancellor mayhave thought that only the death of Elizabeth could save England forthe Catholic church. The order was delivered to the keeper of the Tower.

  "Where is the signature of the queen?" he demanded.

  "The queen is too ill to sign the paper, but it is sent in her name."

  "Then in her name will I wait until by the blessing of God her Majestyshall be well again, and can speak for herself," returned the keeper.

  When Mary had recovered, she was exceedingly angry that the life ofElizabeth had been so nearly taken. It was soon decided that theprincess should stay no longer in the Tower, but, should be taken tothe palace at Woodstock.

  Elizabeth expected to be put to death. "Pray for me," she said to oneof her servants, "for this night I think I must die." All along theway to Woodstock the people flocked to gaze upon her. They filledher litter with cakes and flowers and sweet-smelling herbs. Everyone saluted her. "God save your Grace!" cried the crowds, and in onelittle village the bells rang a hearty welcome as she passed through.Nevertheless, she was a prisoner and as closely guarded as she had beenin the Tower.